A spokesperson told Mirror Online: “Children can find it difficult to stand up to peer pressure but they must know it’s perfectly okay to refuse to take part in crazes that make them feel unsafe or scared.

“Parents should talk with their children and emphasise that they can make their own choices and discuss ways of how to say no.

“Reassuring a child that they can still be accepted even if they don’t go along with the crowd will help stop them doing something that could hurt them or make them uncomfortable.”

This comes after a mum from Manchester warned that her son had been influenced by the disturbing trend and told terrified schoolfriends “Momo would kill them”.

Last year, cops in Argentina issued a warning about Momo after a 12-year-old girl who committed suicide was believed to have egged-on by another adolescent.

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit a local branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.